The Month of October
Day 3
34. The Lord Is Infinitely Merciful Even toward Sinners
(The Story of Saint Dionysius about Saint Carpos and the Two Sinners)
Day 3
34. The Lord Is Infinitely Merciful Even toward Sinners
(The Story of Saint Dionysius about Saint Carpos and the Two Sinners)
The Lord says: “I do not desire the death of a sinner” (Ezekiel 33:11). How are we to understand this? In our opinion, it should be understood in this way: the mercy of God is infinitely great; it is great both toward all people in general and, in particular, toward sinners. How, then, can this latter truth be proven, and how can we become convinced of it? It can easily be proven and understood through the following example.
Saint Carpos, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, was once greatly angered by a pagan who had led a Christian astray into his ungodliness. He rose at midnight to pray, but at first he could not even turn his mind to prayer. Carpos thought: “Can it really be in accordance with the justice of God that ungodly people live peacefully on the earth and corrupt the ways of the Lord?” Then he began to ask God to send fire from heaven that would consume both the pagan and the Christian whom he had led astray.
As he was praying in this way, suddenly the house in which he was staying was shaken, its roof opened up, and Carpos saw the heavens opened and the Lord Jesus Christ there, surrounded by Angels. When Carpos lowered his eyes, he saw the earth split open and within it a deep and dark abyss, at the edge of which stood the pagan and the Christian whom he had led into pagan ungodliness. Seeing them, Carpos again began to ask for their destruction. They stood there in terror and fear, while certain men beat them and dragged them toward the abyss, at the bottom of which was a great and dreadful serpent. Carpos rejoiced at this; but when he noticed that the pagan and the Christian whom he had led astray still remained at the edge of the abyss, he again began to grieve and once more asked God for their speedy destruction. When, at this point, he again raised his eyes toward heaven, he saw that the Lord had risen from His throne, approached the mouth of the abyss, and extended a helping hand to those who were perishing. Then the Angels took those men, began to encourage and comfort them, and led them away from the abyss. And Jesus said to Carpos: “What then? If you wish, strike Me again. For the salvation of mankind I am ready to be crucified again, and this is pleasing to Me, so long as people hate their sins. Do you really think that it is more pleasing to Me for people to live with the serpent in the abyss than with God and His good and loving Angels?” With this, the vision ended.
From this example, you have surely been able to become convinced, brethren, of the truth that the mercy of God is boundlessly great even toward sinners. Yes, truly, the height of heaven is astonishing, the depth of the sea is awe-inspiring, and the expanse of the universe is infinitely immeasurable; but even more astonishing, more awe-inspiring, and more immeasurable is the mercy of the Lord! Do you hear what He says to Carpos, who thirsted for the condemnation of sinners? “Strike Me! I am ready to be crucified again, so long as people hate their sins!” O the depth of the goodness of God! We offend the Lord, and He extends His hand to us and brings us out of hell. We anger Him, and He sends His Angels to lead us away from the abyss. We wound Him again through our sins, and He is again ready to endure the Cross and death, so long as we hate our sins! Surely, even after this, will we not be moved by Divine love? Surely, will we not abandon what is displeasing to the Lord? Surely, even after hearing this, will we not crucify our flesh with its passions and desires? O Lord, grant strength to our spirit and freedom to our heart, that we may bravely battle against the host of unclean demons and passions and then walk without stumbling in the ordinances of Your law. Amen.
Questions for Discussion 34:
1. Whom did Saint Carpos ask for the speedy destruction of the pagan and the Christian whom he had led astray, when he saw them at the edge of the abyss?
2. What did the Lord extend to those who were perishing in Carpos's vision?
3. For what does Jesus Christ say He is ready to be crucified again?
4. For what purpose is it pleasing to Jesus Christ to be crucified again?
5. With whom, according to the words of Jesus Christ, is it more pleasing to Him that people should live?
From this example, you have surely been able to become convinced, brethren, of the truth that the mercy of God is boundlessly great even toward sinners. Yes, truly, the height of heaven is astonishing, the depth of the sea is awe-inspiring, and the expanse of the universe is infinitely immeasurable; but even more astonishing, more awe-inspiring, and more immeasurable is the mercy of the Lord! Do you hear what He says to Carpos, who thirsted for the condemnation of sinners? “Strike Me! I am ready to be crucified again, so long as people hate their sins!” O the depth of the goodness of God! We offend the Lord, and He extends His hand to us and brings us out of hell. We anger Him, and He sends His Angels to lead us away from the abyss. We wound Him again through our sins, and He is again ready to endure the Cross and death, so long as we hate our sins! Surely, even after this, will we not be moved by Divine love? Surely, will we not abandon what is displeasing to the Lord? Surely, even after hearing this, will we not crucify our flesh with its passions and desires? O Lord, grant strength to our spirit and freedom to our heart, that we may bravely battle against the host of unclean demons and passions and then walk without stumbling in the ordinances of Your law. Amen.
Questions for Discussion 34:
1. Whom did Saint Carpos ask for the speedy destruction of the pagan and the Christian whom he had led astray, when he saw them at the edge of the abyss?
2. What did the Lord extend to those who were perishing in Carpos's vision?
3. For what does Jesus Christ say He is ready to be crucified again?
4. For what purpose is it pleasing to Jesus Christ to be crucified again?
5. With whom, according to the words of Jesus Christ, is it more pleasing to Him that people should live?
Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
